Prognostic Factors Associated with Venous Thromboembolism Following Traumatic Injury: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Trauma patients are at increased risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE), including deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and/or pulmonary embolism (PE). We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis summarizing the association between prognostic factors and the occurrence of VTE following traumatic injury. METHODS: We searched the EMBASE and MEDLINE databases from inception to August 2023. We identified studies reporting confounding adjusted associations between patient, injury or post-injury care factors and risk of VTE. We performed meta-analyses of odds ratios (ORs) using the random effects method and assessed individual study risk of bias using the QUIPS tool. RESULTS: We included 31 studies involving 1,981,946 patients. Studies were predominantly observational cohorts from North America. Factors with moderate or higher certainty of association with increased risk of VTE include older age, obesity, male sex, higher injury severity score, pelvic injury, lower extremity injury, spinal injury, delayed VTE prophylaxis, need for surgery and tranexamic acid use. After accounting for other important contributing prognostic variables, a delay in the delivery of appropriate pharmacologic prophylaxis for as little as 24 to 48 hours independently confers a clinically meaningful two-fold increase in incidence of VTE. CONCLUSION: These findings highlight the contribution of patient predisposition, the importance of injury pattern, and the impact of potentially modifiable post-injury care on risk of VTE after traumatic injury. These factors should be incorporated into a risk stratification framework to individualize VTE risk assessment and support clinical and academic efforts reduce thromboembolic events among trauma patients.Study TypeSystematic Review & Meta-Analysis. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level II.

Prognostic factors associated with risk of stroke following blunt cerebrovascular injury: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Blunt cerebrovascular injury (BCVI) includes carotid and/or vertebral artery injury following trauma, and conveys an increased stroke risk. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to provide a comprehensive summary of prognostic factors associated with risk of stroke following BCVI. METHODS: We searched the EMBASE and MEDLINE databases from January 1946 to June 2023. We identified studies reporting associations between patient or injury factors and risk of stroke following BCVI. We performed meta-analyses of odds ratios (ORs) using the random effects method and assessed individual study risk of bias using the QUIPS tool. We separately pooled adjusted and unadjusted analyses, highlighting the estimate with the higher certainty. RESULTS: We included 26 cohort studies, involving 20,458 patients with blunt trauma. The overall incidence of stroke following BCVI was 7.7 %. Studies were predominantly retrospective cohorts from North America and included both carotid and vertebral artery injuries. Diagnosis of BCVI was most commonly confirmed with CT angiography. We demonstrated with moderate to high certainty that factors associated with increased risk of stroke included carotid artery injury (as compared to vertebral artery injury, unadjusted odds ratio [uOR] 1.94, 95 % CI 1.62 to 2.32), Grade III Injury (as compared to grade I or II) (uOR 2.45, 95 % CI 1.88 to 3.20), Grade IV injury (uOR 3.09, 95 % CI 2.20 to 4.35), polyarterial injury (uOR 3.11 (95 % CI 2.05 to 4.72), occurrence of hypotension at the time of hospital admission (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.32, 95 % CI 0.87 to 2.03) and higher total body injury severity (aOR 5.91, 95 % CI 1.90 to 18.39). CONCLUSION: Local anatomical injury pattern, overall burden of injury and flow dynamics contribute to BCVI-related stroke risk. These findings provide the foundational evidence base for risk stratification to support clinical decision making and further research.

Trauma Training Courses and Programs in Low- and Lower Middle-Income Countries: A Scoping Review.

BACKGROUND: Injury is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in low- and lower middle-income countries (LMICs). Trauma training is a cost-effective way to improve injury outcomes. Several trauma programs have been implemented in LMICs; however, their scope and effectiveness remain unclear. In this review, we sought to describe and assess the current state of trauma training in LMICs. METHODS: We searched MEDLINE, Embase, Global Health, Cochrane Library, and ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global for trauma training courses in LMICs. An additional gray literature search was conducted on university, governmental, and non- governmental organizations' websites to identify trauma-related postgraduate medical education (PGME) opportunities. RESULTS: Most studies occurred in sub-Saharan Africa and participants were primarily physicians/surgeons, medical students/residents, and nurses. General and surgical trauma management courses were most common, followed by orthopedic trauma or plastic surgery trauma/burn care courses. 32/45 studies reported on participant knowledge and skills, 27 of which had minimal follow-up. Of the four studies commenting on cost of courses, only one demonstrated cost-effectiveness. Three articles evaluated post-course effects on patient outcomes, two of which failed to demonstrate significant improvements. Overall, 43.0% of LMICs have PGME programs with defined trauma competency requirements. CONCLUSIONS: Current studies on trauma training in LMICs do not clearly demonstrate sustainability, cost-effectiveness, nor improved outcomes. Trauma training programs should be in response to a need, championed locally, and work within a cohesive system to demonstrate concrete benefits. We recommend standardized and contextualized trauma training with recertifications in LMICs for lasting and improved trauma care.

Rare constellation of abdominal vascular injuries in blunt trauma: Left gastric artery pseudoaneurysms and dissection.

INTRODUCTION: Abdominal visceral artery pseudoaneurysms and dissections in blunt trauma are uncommon, however, solitary vascular injury of the left gastric artery and development of multifocal dissections are extremely rare with only 5 reported cases in the literature. PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 79-year-old male presents two days after a motor boating incident in profound hemorrhagic shock. Subsequent CT imaging revealed moderate hemoperitoneum, two pseudoaneurysms of the left gastric artery measuring 6 mm and 9 mm, as well as attenuation of the artery in keeping with a focal dissection and intramural thrombus, and no active extravasation. After stabilization with blood product resuscitation, he was managed conservatively with administration of ASA and close monitoring. CONCLUSION: Abdominal visceral artery vascular injuries in blunt trauma can be managed safely with close monitoring, antithrombotic agent, and medical co-morbidity optimization. Instability or worsening/ persistent symptoms should be considered for endovascular treatment or surgical ligation Further research and reporting of management approaches are required.

3D Printed Surgical Instruments: The Design and Fabrication Process.

BACKGROUND: 3D printing is an additive manufacturing process allowing the creation of solid objects directly from a digital file. We believe recent advances in additive manufacturing may be applicable to surgical instrument design. This study investigates the feasibility, design and fabrication process of usable 3D printed surgical instruments. METHODS: The computer-aided design package SolidWorks (Dassault Systemes SolidWorks Corp., Waltham MA) was used to design a surgical set including hemostats, needle driver, scalpel handle, retractors and forceps. These designs were then printed on a selective laser sintering (SLS) Sinterstation HiQ (3D Systems, Rock Hill SC) using DuraForm EX plastic. The final printed products were evaluated by practicing general surgeons for ergonomic functionality and performance, this included simulated surgery and inguinal hernia repairs on human cadavers. Improvements were identified and addressed by adjusting design and build metrics. RESULTS: Repeated manufacturing processes and redesigns led to the creation of multiple functional and fully reproducible surgical sets utilizing the user feedback of surgeons. Iterative cycles including design, production and testing took an average of 3 days. Each surgical set was built using the SLS Sinterstation HiQ with an average build time of 6 h per set. CONCLUSIONS: Functional 3D printed surgical instruments are feasible. Advantages compared to traditional manufacturing methods include no increase in cost for increased complexity, accelerated design to production times and surgeon specific modifications.

Parasternal intercostal and diaphragm function during sleep.

Action of the uppermost medial internal intercostal muscles-the parasternals-during rapid eye movement (REM) is uncertain; no direct recordings exist of shortening of these muscles during sleep. Historically, motor inhibition of skeletal muscles during REM sleep is thought to cause global loss of chest wall muscle function, REM "atonia," with preservation of only diaphragm function. However, recent evidence during wakefulness shows parasternals as distinctive obligatory inspiratory muscles. Therefore we hypothesized that attenuation of chest wall function during sleep may spare the parasternals along with the diaphragm, as essential muscles of inspiration during REM. We studied seven canines, comparing costal and crural diaphragm and parasternal intercostal muscle function during wakefulness and non-REM (NREM) and REM sleep, during normal spontaneous sleep, continuously recording ventilation and simultaneous muscle electromyogram (EMG) and length from sonomicrometry microtransducers. Ventilation during sleep declined significantly from wakefulness. From wakefulness to NREM and REM, costal and crural tidal EMG increased, while parasternal tidal EMG was preserved unchanged. Costal and crural shortening per breath during NREM and REM did not change significantly from wakefulness. Concurrently, parasternal shortening decreased equally in both NREM and REM despite preservation of the parasternal EMG. We conclude that diaphragm and parasternals are not inhibited, and both remain active together as essential inspiratory muscles, during REM sleep. The lesser contraction of parasternal intercostals compared with diaphragm may be attributed to net changes in mechanics affecting the chest wall during sleep.

Parasternal muscle activity decreases in severe COPD with salmeterol-fluticasone propionate.

BACKGROUND: The effect of the long acting beta(2)-agonist/corticosteroid combination salmeterol-fluticasone propionate (SFC) on respiratory muscles and ventilation in severe COPD is unknown. As COPD hyperinflation worsens, diaphragm efficiency decreases, and a compensatory increase in chest wall inspiratory muscle activity occurs. If a bronchodilator successfully alleviates hyperinflation and improves diaphragm efficiency in severe COPD, then the extraordinary activation of the chest wall may be relieved. We examined directly the effect on the parasternal intercostal respiratory chest wall muscle and ventilation of four puffs of salmeterol 25 microg and fluticasone propionate 125 microg via the metered dose combination inhaler in 12 patients with severe Global Initiative on Obstructive Lung Disease stage III-IV COPD, mean FEV(1) = 0.91 L (32% predicted). METHODS: We measured parasternal intercostal electromyogram (EMG) recorded from implanted fine-wire electrodes, ventilation, and breathing pattern, during resting and CO(2)-stimulated breathing. Full pulmonary function tests were recorded at the beginning and end of the study. RESULTS: In this patient group, severe airflow obstruction and hyperinflation were poorly reversible after SFC: FEV(1) increased 4.2%, functional residual capacity decreased 1.4%, and inspiratory capacity increased 5.9%. However, with SFC there was a significant increase in minute ventilation, tidal volume, and mean inspiratory flow. There was a very large decrease in directly recorded parasternal EMG, with parasternal EMG disappearing completely in some patients after SFC. CONCLUSIONS: In severe COPD, with minimal change in hyperinflation or pulmonary mechanics, salmeterol-fluticasone induced a significant decrease in activity of the chest wall parasternal inspiratory muscle. This may be of practical benefit to reverse the extensive use of the chest wall muscles and alleviate dyspnea in severe COPD.

Pulse pressure variation predicts fluid responsiveness following coronary artery bypass surgery.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the degree of pulse pressure variation (PPV) and systolic pressure variation (SPV) predict an increase in cardiac output (CO) in response to volume challenge in postoperative patients who have undergone coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), and to determine whether PPV is superior to SPV in this setting. DESIGN AND SETTING: This was a prospective clinical study conducted in the cardiovascular ICU of a university hospital. PATIENTS: Twenty-one patients were studied immediately after arrival in the ICU following CABG. INTERVENTION: A fluid bolus was administered to all patients. MEASUREMENTS: Hemodynamic measurements, including central venous pressure (CVP), pulmonary artery occlusion pressure (PAOP), CO (thermodilution), percentage of SPV (%SPV), and percentage of PPV (%PPV), were performed shortly after patient arrival in the ICU. Patients were given a rapid 500-mL fluid challenge, after which hemodynamic measurements were repeated. Patients whose CO increased by >/= 12% were considered to be fluid responders. The ability of different parameters to distinguish between responders and nonresponders was compared. RESULTS: In response to the volume challenge, 6 patients were responders and 15 were nonresponders. Baseline CVP and PAOP were no different between these two groups. In contrast, the %SPV and the %PPV were significantly higher in responders than in nonresponders. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis suggested that the %PPV was the best predictor of fluid responsiveness. The ideal %PPV threshold for distinguishing responders from nonresponders was found to be 11. A PPV value of >/= 11% predicted an increase in CO with 100% sensitivity and 93% specificity. CONCLUSION: PPV and SPV can be used to predict whether or not volume expansion will increase CO in postoperative CABG patients. PPV was superior to SPV at predicting fluid responsiveness. Both of these measures were far superior to CVP and PAOP.